The CFS is reminding everyone as part of Bushfire Action Week to carefully consider their permit obligations when burning on their properties during the Fire Danger Season.

Two types of permits can be issued by an authorised officer of a local council under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

Ninth Schedule Permits may be issued for burning activities on days that are not Total Fire Ban days and Tenth Schedule Permits are for days declared Total Fire Ban.

CFS Director of Preparedness Operations Leigh Miller said permits are issued at the discretion of the authorised officer for burning-off activities, the operation of some equipment or machinery and when fires not covered under the Fire and Emergency Services Regulations are lit in the open.

Exceptions are made for cooking and personal comfort, gas fired appliances for cooking purposes or electric welding equipment.

"The authorised officer will assess the circumstances of an application to ensure that lighting a fire is justified and adequate precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of a fire, before a permit can be issued," Mr Miller said.

"There are stringent conditions and anyone who does not comply or lights a fire without a permit could face penalties of up to $8,000 and two years' jail or $200 on-the-spot fines."

Mr Miller said permit conditions may include notifying specified groups and individuals such as neighbours, an officer of the local council, the person in charge of a nearby government reserve and a local CFS Brigade.

"There are circumstances when lighting a fire during the Fire Danger Season is unavoidable and the Ninth and Tenth Schedule Permit scheme is aimed at preventing these fires from spreading and threatening public safety," Mr Miller said.

Local councils have more information about fire permits or contact the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.

Bushfire Action Week runs from Sunday 27 October to Saturday 2 November with more details on the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au

<Message Ends>

Please do not reply to this email - this mailbox is not checked regularly.

Further information: Contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 362 361, for hearing or speech impaired users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 362 361 or teletype service TTY 133 677 then ask for 1800 362 361. Other options are available at National Relay Service. Or visit www.cfs.sa.gov.au